Suspension Damping

ABSTRACT

A dielectric layer configured to overlay a spring metal layer in a suspension assembly is described. The dielectric layer includes a tongue portion including a proximate end and a distal end, trace portions extending from the tongue portion, and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by the tongue portion. The aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partially aligning with the central opening of the void. The aperture further includes slits extending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partially aligned with slits of the void in the spring metal layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/968,859 filed on Jan. 31, 2020, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to the field of suspensions fordisk drives. More particularly, this disclosure relates to the field offlexures that are configured to be included in disk drive suspensionsand provide for improved suspension damping.

BACKGROUND

Magnetic recording heads typically comprise a transducer and a slider.These are supported in proximity to a magnetic recording medium, usuallya spinning disk with a magnetic coating, by a suspension assembly. Thesuspension includes a load beam that attaches to the slider with aread/write transducer assembly via a flexible gimbal device at one endand a flexible section of the suspension, namely the formed area, at theother end. The formed area in turn is connected to a suspension supportarm. The suspension support arm connects to an actuator. It is desirablefor the transducer suspension to be flexible in a directionperpendicular to the plane of the disk so that the suspension is able tofollow any movement of the head due to disk run out or wobbling of thedisk normal to its plane. If the transducer does not follow the out ofplane motion of the disk, head to disk spacing variations will result.Additionally, the suspension should be extremely rigid in a planeparallel to that of the disk so the transducer can be accurately placedover a data track. The slider and the magnetic element are positionedover the proper track of data by a voice-coil powered actuator in orderto read, write, and erase data.

Data is transferred to a magnetic recording medium in the form ofmagnetic flux reversals from a gap in the transducer. Recently, advanceshave been made that allow very high densities of data to be stored on asingle disk. For accurate and dense data encoding, the read/write gap inthe transducer must be maintained as close to the disk as possible at aconstant height; typically, a few nanometers above the disk. The storagecapacity of the disk is a strong function of the height of theread/write gap above the disk, i.e., the flying height. Storage capacityis also a function of the track density, i.e., the number of recordingtracks available radially. This is determined by the accuracy with whichthe actuator motor can locate the transducer over a previously writtentrack of data and follow that track as the disk spins. Therefore, thestorage capacity of the disk is measured by the number of flux reversalsper square inch. More precisely, the area density is calculated by thelinear bit density, or the number of flux reversals per inch along atrack, times the radial track density, or the number of tracks availableradially. Typically, the linear bit density is an order of magnitudegreater than the radial track density. The number of flux reversals perinch is extremely sensitive to the head to disk interface spacing;flying height variation significantly reduces the number of fluxreversals per inch. Hence, it is very important to keep the head to diskspacing as constant as possible.

Suspension resonances are generally excited in the suspension duringdata seek and track following operations. However, there are also othersources that can cause the suspension to resonate, including externaldisturbances. In order to maximize the capacity of disk drives, it isnecessary to control the resonant behavior of the suspension such thatthe suspension can have better track following performance when theactuator is active.

SUMMARY

A suspension is provided. The suspension includes a flexure, whichincludes a gimbal, a proximal end, and a distal end. The flexure havinga longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end.The gimbal includes a spring metal layer including a base portion, atongue, and a pair of spring arms extending from the base portion to thetongue. The gimbal also includes a dielectric layer overlaying thespring metal layer and a conductive metal layer overlying the dielectriclayer.

The conductive metal layer includes a first plurality of tracesextending from the base portion to the tongue and a second plurality oftraces extending from the base portion to the tongue. The suspensionalso includes a void formed in the spring metal layer and partiallysurrounding the tongue. A portion of the dielectric layer overlays asection of the void formed in the spring metal layer.

In some embodiments of the suspension, a portion of the first pluralityof traces and a portion of the second plurality of traces are coupledover the void and extend towards the tongue. The void includes a centralopening with opposing ends, and first and second channels extending fromthe opposing ends of the central opening. The dielectric layer caninclude a tongue portion, trace portions, and an aperture aligned withthe void and defined by the tongue portion and the trace portions. Thetongue portion includes a proximate end and a distal end. The traceportions extending from the distal end of the tongue portion. Theaperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partiallyaligning with the central opening of the void, and slits extending fromthe opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partiallyexposing the first and second channels of the void.

In some embodiments of the suspension, the slits of the aperture extendfrom the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to 40% of a lengthbetween the proximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.Specifically, the slits of the aperture extend from the opposing ends ofthe elongated opening up to 25% of a length between the proximate endand the distal end of the tongue portion. In other embodiments, theslits of the aperture extend from the opposing ends of the elongatedopening up to 80% of a length between the proximate end and the distalend of the tongue portion. Specifically, the slits of the apertureextend from the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to 50% of alength between the proximate end and the distal end of the tongueportion.

A dielectric layer is also provided. The dielectric layer includes atongue portion, trace portions, and an aperture aligned with the voidand defined by the tongue portion. The tongue portion includes aproximate end and a distal end. The trace portions extending from theproximate end of the tongue portion. The aperture includes an elongatedopening with opposing ends partially aligning with the central openingof the void.

In some embodiments, the aperture further includes slits extending fromthe opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partiallyexposing the first and second channels of the void. The slits of theaperture can extend from the opposing ends of the elongated opening upto 40% of a length between the proximate end and the distal end of thetongue portion. Specifically, the slits of the aperture extend from theopposing ends of the elongated opening up to 25% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion. Alternatively,the slits of the aperture extend from the opposing ends of the elongatedopening up to 80% of a length between the proximate end and the distalend of the tongue portion. Specifically, the slits of the apertureextend from the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to 50% of alength between the proximate end and the distal end of the tongueportion.

A flexure is also provided. The flexure includes a gimbal, a proximalend, and a distal end. The flexure having a longitudinal axis extendingfrom the proximal end to the distal end. The gimbal includes a springmetal layer including a base portion, a tongue, and a pair of springarms extending from the base portion to the tongue. The gimbal alsoincludes a dielectric layer overlaying the spring metal layer and aconductive metal layer overlying the dielectric layer.

The conductive metal layer includes a first plurality of tracesextending from the base portion to the tongue and a second plurality oftraces extending from the base portion to the tongue. The flexure alsoincludes a void formed in the spring metal layer and partiallysurrounding the tongue. A portion of the dielectric layer overlays asection of the void formed in the spring metal layer.

In some embodiments of the flexure, a portion of the first plurality oftraces and a portion of the second plurality of traces are coupled overthe void and extend towards the tongue. The void includes a centralopening with opposing ends, and first and second channels extending fromthe opposing ends of the central opening. The dielectric layer caninclude a tongue portion, trace portions, and an aperture aligned withthe void and defined by the tongue portion and the trace portions. Thetongue portion includes a proximate end and a distal end. The traceportions extending from the distal end of the tongue portion. Theaperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partiallyaligning with the central opening of the void, and slits extending fromthe opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partiallyexposing the first and second channels of the void.

In some embodiments of the flexure, the slits of the aperture extendfrom the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to 40% of a lengthbetween the proximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.Specifically, the slits of the aperture extend from the opposing ends ofthe elongated opening up to 25% of a length between the proximate endand the distal end of the tongue portion. In other embodiments of theflexure, the slits of the aperture extend from the opposing ends of theelongated opening up to 80% of a length between the proximate end andthe distal end of the tongue portion. Specifically, the slits of theaperture extend from the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to50% of a length between the proximate end and the distal end of thetongue portion.

Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosurewill be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detaileddescription that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of exampleand not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a suspension having a flexure, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an underside of the suspension, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates the flexure of the suspension, in accordance withembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the dielectric layer of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates the dielectric layer of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates the dielectric layer of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates the dielectric layer of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flexure 112, in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A suspension and components thereof are described herein. Such asuspension can included, but is not limited, to a dual-stage actuation(DSA) suspension and a tri-stage actuation suspension. The suspension,according to some embodiments, includes a flexure, which includes agimbal, a proximal end, and a distal end. The flexure having alongitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. Thegimbal includes a spring metal layer including a base portion, a tongue,and a pair of spring arms extending from the base portion to the tongue.The gimbal also includes a dielectric layer overlaying the spring metallayer and a conductive metal layer overlying the dielectric layer.

The conductive metal layer includes a first plurality of tracesextending from the base portion to the tongue and a second plurality oftraces extending from the base portion to the tongue. The suspensionalso includes a void formed in the spring metal layer and partiallysurrounding the tongue. A portion of the first plurality of traces and aportion of the second plurality of traces are coupled over the void andextend towards the tongue. A portion of the dielectric layer overlays asection of the void formed in the spring metal layer. The disclosedflexure provides additional stiffness, which improves the mechanicalproperties of the suspension.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a suspension 10 having a flexure 12 witha co-located or gimbal-based actuation structure 14, in accordance withan embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension 10includes a baseplate 16 as a proximal mounting structure. The suspension10 also includes a load beam 18 having a rigid or beam region 20 coupledto the baseplate 16 along a spring or hinge region 22. The load beam 18can be formed from stainless steel. The flexure 12 includes a gimbal 24at the distal end of the flexure 12. A co-located or gimbal-basedactuation structure 14 is located on the gimbal 24, adjacent the distalend of the load beam 18.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an underside of the suspension 10, inaccordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. A head slider 32 ismounted to a tongue 33 of the gimbal 24, on the side of the suspension10 that is opposite the load beam 18. The co-located or gimbal-basedactuation structure 14 includes a motor 34, which is a PZT or otherpiezoelectric actuator in the illustrated embodiment, mounted to thegimbal 24 of the flexure 12 between the load beam 18 and the head slider32. In response to electrical drive signals applied to the motor 34, themotor drives portions of the gimbal 24, including the tongue 33 andslider 32, about a generally transverse tracking axis. Proximal anddistal, as used herein, refers to the relative direction along thelongitudinal axis of the suspension while lateral refers to the leftand/or right directions orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of thesuspension. For example, the baseplate 16 is proximal of the load beam18 while opposite ends of the motor 34 extend laterally.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flexure 12 of the suspension 10, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure. The flexure 12 is formed fromoverlaying spring metal such as stainless-steel layer 40, polyimide orother dielectric layer 42, copper or other conductive material layer 44and coverlay, such as a polyimide layer. It will be understood that thestainless-steel layer 40 could alternatively be formed from anothermetal or rigid material. The dielectric layer 42 generally electricallyisolates structures formed in the conductive material layer 44 fromadjacent portions of the stainless-steel layer 40.

The coverlay generally covers and protects the structures formed in theconductive material layer 44. The gimbal 24 includes the spring arms 52and the tongue 33. The spring arms 52 extend from a base portion 50 ofthe stainless-steel layer 40. A mounting region 54, which is part of thetongue 33, is supported between the spring arms 52 by a pair of struts56 that extend from support regions 58, extending from the spring arms52. In some embodiments, the pair of struts 56 is the only part of thestainless-steel layer 40 that connects or otherwise supports the tongue33 between the spring arms 52.

Specifically, the struts 56 can be the only structural linkage betweenthe spring arms 52 and the tongue 33. Also, the struts 56, in connectingwith the tongue 33, can be the only part of the stainless-steel layer 40that connects between the spring arms 52 distal of the base portion 50.As shown, the struts 56 are offset from one another with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the flexure 12 or otherwise configured to enablerotational movement of the mounting region 54 about the tracking axiswith respect to the spring arms 52. The struts 56 can each be thenarrowest part of the stainless-steel layer 40 in, for example, an X-Yplane while the thickness of the stainless-steel layer 40 can beconsistent along the flexure 12.

A plurality of traces 60 formed in the conductive material layer 44extend between the base portion 50 and the tongue 33 along a flexiblecircuit formed in the dielectric layer 42. A number of the traces 60terminate at locations on a distal region on the tongue 33 and areconfigured to be electrically attached to terminals of the read/writehead on the slider. Other traces 60 terminate at a contact such as acopper pad 64 on the tongue 33, below the motor 34. Portions of thedielectric layer 42 extend underneath the conductive material layer 44onto the mounting region 54 and across a portion of the support regions58. The tongue 33 projects longitudinally toward the base portion 50 andis surrounded on three sides by a void 65 or aperture through theflexure 12.

The tongue 33 projects longitudinally toward the base portion 50 and issurrounded on three sides by a void 65 or aperture through the flexure12. The void 65 includes a central opening 66, a first channel 69A and asecond channel 69B. The first channel 69A can be defined by the springarm 52, the strut 56, the support region 58 and the mounting region 54.A first portion of the trace 60A formed in the conductive material layer44 extends from the mounting region 54 over the first channel 69A, whereit is suspended from the stainless-steel layer 40. The first portion ofthe trace 60A is suspended over the void 65 and mounted on the baseportion 50.

The second channel 69B can be defined by the spring arm 52, the strut56, the support region 58 and the mounting region 54. A second portionof the trace 60B formed in the conductive material layer 44 extends fromthe mounting region 54 over the second channel 69B, where it issuspended from the stainless-steel layer 40. The second portion of thetrace 60B is suspended over the void 65 and mounted on the base portion50.

The dielectric layer 42 has an aperture 70 corresponding with thecentral opening 66, the first channel 69A, and the second channel 69B.Some embodiments of the dielectric layer are illustrated in furtherdetail with respect to FIGS. 4-7.

FIG. 4 illustrates a dielectric layer 42 of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure. The dielectric layer 42 includes atongue portion 54A, lower trace portions 60A, upper trace portions 60B,and an aperture 70. The aperture 70 is defined by the tongue portion54A, the lower trace portions 60A, and the upper trace portions 60B. Theupper trace portions 60B extend from the tongue portion 54A. The tongueportion 54A can include a proximate end 54B and a distal end 54C. Theaperture 70 of the dielectric layer 42 includes an elongated opening 71with opposing ends. The elongated opening 71 is defined by the lowertrace portions 60A and the proximate end 54B of the tongue portion 54A.The aperture 70 also includes slits 72 extending from the opposing endsof the elongated opening 71. The slits 72 are defined by the tongueportion 54A and the upper trace portions 60B. The elongated opening 71at least partially aligns with the central opening of the void (65 shownin FIG. 3), and the slits 72 at least partially expose the first andsecond channels (69A, 69B of the void 65 shown in FIG. 3). The slits 72extend a full-length 73 between the proximate end 54B of the tongueportion 54A and the upper trace portions 60B that extend from the tongueportion 54A. For some embodiments, the full length 73 is in a rangeincluding 0.6 millimeters (mm) to 0.9 mm. According to some embodiments,the upper trace portions 60B is defined by the width of the plurality oftraces 60 in the conductive material layer and configured to be disposedon the dielectric layer 42. The width of the upper trace portions 60B,according to some embodiments, is in a range including 0.2 mm to 0.25mm. For some embodiments, the illustrated dielectric layer 42 is formedseparately from the suspension 10 and applied to the suspension 10.

FIG. 5 illustrates a dielectric layer 42A of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure. As discussed above, the dielectriclayer 42A includes a tongue portion 54A, lower trace portions 60A, uppertrace portions 60B, and an aperture 70. The aperture 70 is defined bythe tongue portion 54A, the lower trace portions 60A, and the uppertrace portions 60B. The upper trace portions 60B extend from the distalend 54C of the tongue portion 54A. The elongated opening 71 is definedby the lower trace portions 60A and the proximate end 54B of the tongueportion 54A. The slits 72 are defined by the tongue portion 54A and theupper trace portions 60B, reduced by a reduction length 74. The slits 72extend less than the full-length 73, described above, by the reductionlength 74. For some embodiments, the reduction length 74 is the distancefrom the distal end of the slits 72 to a proximal end of the pluralityof traces 60 in the conductive material layer that are disposed on orwill be disposed on the upper trace portion 60B of the dielectric layer42A. The reduction 74 is between 1 and 40 percent reduction of thefull-length 73. Specifically, the reduction length is 25% of the slit 72length between the proximate end 54B of the tongue portion 54A towardsthe distal end 54C of the tongue portion 54A. The reduction of the slit72 increases the size of the dielectric layer 42A, by increasingdielectric material at the upper trace portions 60B.

FIG. 6 illustrates a dielectric layer 42B of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure. The dielectric layer 42B includes atongue portion 54A, lower trace portions 60A, upper trace portions 60B,and an aperture 70. The aperture 70 is defined by the tongue portion54A, the lower trace portions 60A, and the upper trace portions 60B. Theupper trace portions 60B extend from the distal end 54C of the tongueportion 54A. The elongated opening 71 is defined by the lower traceportions 60A and the proximate end 54B of the tongue portion 54A. Theslits 72 are defined by the tongue portion 54A and the upper traceportions 60B, reduced by a reduction length 75. The slits 72 extend lessthan the full-length 73, described above, by the reduction length 75.For some embodiments, the reduction length 75 is the distance from thedistal end of the slits 72 to a proximal end of the plurality of traces60 in the conductive material layer that are disposed on or will bedisposed on the upper trace portion 60B of the dielectric layer 42B. Thereduction length 75 is between 41 and 99 percent length reduction of thefull-length 73. Specifically, the reduction length is 50% of the slit 72length between the proximate end 54B of the tongue portion 54A towardsthe distal end 54C of the tongue portion 54A. The reduction of the slit72 increases the size of the dielectric layer 42B, by increasingdielectric material at the upper trace portions 60B.

FIG. 7 illustrates a dielectric layer 42C of the flexure, in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure. The dielectric layer 42C includes atongue portion 54A, lower trace portions 60A, and an aperture 70. Theaperture 70 is defined by the tongue portion 54A and the lower traceportions 60A. The aperture 70 does not include slits extending from theopposing ends of the elongated opening 71 towards the upper traceportions 60B. Instead, the tongue portion 54A is extended in width toinclude couple with the trace portions 60A. There may be a full fill-inof polyimide in place of the previous slits. The full fill-in ofpolyimide further increases the size of the dielectric layer 42B.Referring momentarily back to FIG. 3, the increased dielectric layer 42Bprovides even more coverage on the mounting 54 and across a largerportion of the support regions 58, in comparison to the dielectric layer42B (described above).

The dielectric layer 42C, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7,incorporates the full fill-in. This configuration has a very low tonon-existent trace mode frequency. A suspension incorporating thedielectric layer 42, with the slits 72 that extend the full-length 73,such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 also exemplifies very lowto non-existent trace mode frequency. The suspension incorporating thepartial fill-in configurations of the dielectric layers 42A and 42B,such as embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, respectively,exhibited increased trace mode frequency, increased gimbal pitch androll stiffness (Kp, Kr), and a decreased T1-FX phase range from that ofa suspension including slits that extend the full-length. The term“z-height” or Z-ht as used herein refers to the distance from thebaseplate flange to the data disk surface. As the polyimide materialincreases to 50% (dielectric layer 42B), the trace mode frequencyincreases from that of a suspension including slits that extend thefull-length.

A suspension incorporating a reduced slit exhibited an increased stroke,increase in gimbal pitch, and an increase in roll stiffness over anembodiment with a full-length slit. The increased material, andsubsequent reduction of the slit increases the rigidity of thesuspension, particularly where the suspension is laterally bent.

The increased rigidity of the suspension in the direction in which it islaterally bent causes a resonance peak P to appear at a relatively highfrequency. For example, the suspension incorporating the dielectriclayer without a polyimide slit exhibits little to no trace moderesonance. The trace mode resonance appears at a higher frequency as theslits in the dielectric layer are decreased. For example, the trace moderesonance of the suspension incorporating the dielectric layer 42 is 8.3kHz. In comparison, the trace mode of the suspension incorporating thedielectric layer 42B is 11.9 kHz. As the slits in the dielectric layerare decreased the T1-FX phase range is reduced. However, as the slit isreduced by 25% (25% fill) the T1-FX phase range increased seemingly dueto less separation of frequency of trace mode and T1-FX mode.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flexure 112, in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosure. The flexure 112 includes a plurality of traces 60 formed inthe conductive material layer 44. The traces 60 extend between the baseportion 50 and the tongue 33 along a flexible circuit formed in thedielectric layer 42. As indicated above, the tongue 33 projectslongitudinally toward the base portion 50 and is surrounded on threesides by a void 65 or aperture through the flexure. As the traces 60extend from the base portion 50, a first plurality 62 of the traces 60converge towards a second plurality 63 of the traces 60 over the void65. The first plurality 62 and the second plurality 63 of the traces 60may be coupled via bridge 61. The bridge 61 includes a portion of theconductive material layer 44, supported by a portion of the dielectriclayer 42.

Embodiments of the suspension that incorporated the bridge 61 exhibiteda trace mode frequency shift. The suspension that incorporated thebridge 61 also exhibited a yaw frequency increase over those without abridge. The suspension that incorporated the bridge 61 also exhibited astroke increase and an increase of roll stiffness (Kr) over thosewithout a bridge. A suspension incorporating the bridge 61 coupling thefirst and second plurality (62, 63) of traces 60 exhibited an increasein the stroke, and an increase in roll stiffness.

The increased rigidity of the suspension in the direction in which it islaterally bent causes a resonance peak P to appear at a relatively highfrequency. For example, the suspension incorporating the bridge 61coupling the first plurality 62 of traces 60 and the second plurality 63of traces 60 exhibit a yaw frequency increase over a suspension withouta bridge.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. For example, the bridge 61configuration and the dielectric layers 42A-42C were discussedseparately; however, it should be appreciated that the bridgeconfiguration 61 can be implemented in either dielectric layers 42A-42C.Thus, embodiments include a bridge and split used independently ortogether to tune a suspension to have characteristics for a desiredperformance.

In fact, after reading the above description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement alternative embodiments.For example, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated,from the described flows, and other components may be added to, orremoved from, the described systems. Accordingly, other implementationsare within the scope of the following claims.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures which highlightthe functionality and advantages are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed methodology and system are each sufficientlyflexible and configurable such that they may be utilized in ways otherthan that shown.

Although the term “at least one” may often be used in the specification,claims and drawings, the terms “a”, “an”, “the”, “said”, etc. alsosignify “at least one” or “the at least one” in the specification,claims and drawings.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112(f). Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “meansfor” or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

What is claimed is:
 1. A suspension comprising: a flexure including agimbal, a proximal end, and a distal end, the flexure having alongitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, thegimbal includes a spring metal layer having a base portion, a tongue,and a pair of spring arms extending from the base portion to the tongue,a dielectric layer overlaying the spring metal layer and a conductivemetal layer overlying the dielectric layer, the conductive metal layerincluding a first plurality of traces extending from the base portion tothe tongue and a second plurality of traces extending from the baseportion to the tongue; and a void formed in the spring metal layer andpartially surrounding the tongue, a portion of the first plurality oftraces and a portion of the second plurality of traces are coupled overthe void and extend towards the tongue, and a portion of the dielectriclayer overlays a section of the void formed in the spring metal layer.2. The suspension of claim 1, wherein the void includes a centralopening with opposing ends, first and second channels extending from theopposing ends of the central opening.
 3. The suspension of claim 2,wherein the dielectric layer includes a tongue portion, trace portions,and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by the tongue portionand the trace portions, the tongue portion includes a proximate end anda distal end, the trace portions extending from the distal end of thetongue portion, the aperture includes an elongated opening with opposingends partially aligning with the central opening of the void, and slitsextending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening and at leastpartially exposing the first and second channels of the void.
 4. Thesuspension of claim 3, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from theopposing ends of the elongated opening up to 40% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 5. Thesuspension of claim 3, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from theopposing ends of the elongated opening up to 25% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 6. Thesuspension of claim 3, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from theopposing ends of the elongated opening up to 80% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 7. Thesuspension of claim 3, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from theopposing ends of the elongated opening up to 50% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 8. Thesuspension of claim 2, wherein the dielectric layer includes a tongueportion, trace portions, and an aperture aligned with the void anddefined by the tongue portion, the tongue portion includes a proximateend and a distal end, the trace portions extending from the proximateend of the tongue portion, the aperture includes an elongated openingwith opposing ends partially aligning with the central opening of thevoid.
 9. A dielectric layer configured to overlay a spring metal layerin a suspension assembly, the dielectric layer comprising: a tongueportion including a proximate end and a distal end; trace portionsextending from the tongue portion; and an aperture configured to bealigned with a void of the spring metal layer and defined by the tongueportion, the aperture includes an elongated opening with opposing endspartially aligning with the central opening of the void.
 10. Thedielectric layer of claim 9, wherein the aperture further includes slitsextending from the opposing ends of the elongated opening and at leastpartially aligned with channels of the void of the spring metal layer.11. The dielectric layer of claim 10, wherein the slits of the apertureextend from the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to 40% of alength between the proximate end and the distal end of the tongueportion.
 12. The dielectric layer of claim 10, wherein the slits of theaperture extend from the opposing ends of the elongated opening up to25% of a length between the proximate end and the distal end of thetongue portion.
 13. The dielectric layer of claim 10, wherein the slitsof the aperture extend from the opposing ends of the elongated openingup to 80% of a length between the proximate end and the distal end ofthe tongue portion.
 14. The dielectric layer of claim 10, wherein theslits of the aperture extend from the opposing ends of the elongatedopening up to 50% of a length between the proximate end and the distalend of the tongue portion.
 15. The dielectric layer of claim 10, whereina portion of the trace portions are coupled over the void.
 16. A flexurecomprising: a gimbal, a proximal end, and a distal end, the flexurehaving a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distalend, the gimbal includes a spring metal layer including a base portion,a tongue, and a pair of spring arms extending from the base portion tothe tongue, a dielectric layer overlaying the spring metal layer and aconductive metal layer overlying the dielectric layer, the conductivemetal layer including a first plurality of traces extending from thebase portion to the tongue and a second plurality of traces extendingfrom the base portion to the tongue; and a void formed in the springmetal layer and partially surrounding the tongue, a portion of thedielectric layer overlays a section of the void formed in the springmetal layer, wherein the void includes a central opening with opposingends, and first and second channels extending from the opposing ends ofthe central opening.
 17. The flexure of claim 16, wherein the dielectriclayer includes a tongue portion, trace portions, and an aperture alignedwith the void and defined by the tongue portion and the trace portions,the tongue portion includes a proximate end and a distal end, the traceportions extending from the distal end of the tongue portion, and theaperture includes an elongated opening with opposing ends partiallyaligning with the central opening of the void, and slits extending fromthe opposing ends of the elongated opening and at least partiallyexposing the first and second channels of the void.
 18. The flexure ofclaim 17, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from the opposingends of the elongated opening up to 40% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 19. The flexureof claim 17, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from the opposingends of the elongated opening up to 25% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 20. The flexureof claim 17, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from the opposingends of the elongated opening up to 80% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 21. The flexureof claim 17, wherein the slits of the aperture extend from the opposingends of the elongated opening up to 50% of a length between theproximate end and the distal end of the tongue portion.
 22. The flexureof claim 16, wherein the dielectric layer includes a tongue portion,trace portions, and an aperture aligned with the void and defined by thetongue portion, the tongue portion includes a proximate end and a distalend, the trace portions extending from the proximate end of the tongueportion, and the aperture includes an elongated opening with opposingends partially aligning with the central opening of the void.